How to thrive in life on a wing and a prayer and a good dose of humor and courage. Inspirational essays from the field.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Bill McDannell's walk

I continue to be moved by the example of Bill McDannell and his wife Jonna in their walk across America to deliver a petition to Congress end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sometimes just up and doing the one thing you can do, whatever it is, is enough to tip the balance toward justice. Toward that more perfect Union we know is possible, the real promise of America.

Bill is a former Methodist minister, Vietnam vet, and lifelong Republican who has simply had enough. He and Jonna sold their home in California, bought an old camper, and began a Walk to End the Wars. The journey is chronicled in Bill's daily Journal in http://wtew.com/

Basically, Bill walks, and Jonna drives the camper which includes their two dogs, Finn and Spoof. She drives ahead some miles and he walks to join her. He rests, then they repeat the process. If he is invited to speak somewhere, he does, then returns to continue walking to where he left off. They stay in campgrounds. Sometimes friends they meet may offer an overnight plug-in and water in their driveway. As of today, they have made it more than halfway through Ohio.

Bill took this photo of his shadow on some dunes while walking. When I saw it posted on the website, I thought it would make a great t-shirt design, so I formatted it with text and background color. Theresa Bescher who manages the Cafepress function for the walk, took the graphic and voila! A whole bunch of shirts and cards and things you can buy with this image on them. I'm impressed. I bought some cards and a t-shirt. I'm going to wear that shirt with pride. To see the Cafepress shop and what is available, go to http://www.cafepress.com/wtetw . 20% of the cost of items purchased goes directly toward the Walk. Donations of any kind are needed and most appreciated.

Not all of us have legs that can do this kind of walking, and that includes me. But we all can do something. What that something is, we have to listen and trust our inner guidance to show us. I can write and make graphics. I can pray and ponder deeply, until I reach that point of clarity and sweet relief that is the sign of Spirit, of blessing. And from there I will know the next good thing to do.

Life is a journey, whether feeling our way by foot or by heart. Let us each find the hidden path where the human life and the soul life can beat as one.